British Standard BS 7671 is the national standard in the United Kingdom for low voltage electrical installations.
The IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) has published wiring regulations in the United Kingdom since 1882. Since their 15th edition (1981), these regulations have closely followed the corresponding international standard IEC 60364.
Today, they are largely based on the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) harmonization documents, and therefore are technically very similar to the current wiring regulations of other European countries.
It is also used as a national standard by Mauritius, St Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uganda, and several other countries who base their wiring regulations on BS 7671.
In 1992, the IEE Wiring Regulations became British Standard BS 7671 and they are now treated similar to other British Standards. They are maintained by the Joint IET/BSI Technical Committee JPEL/64, the UK National Committee for Wiring Regulations. Although the IET and BSI are non-governmental organizations and the Wiring Regulations are non-statutory, they are referenced in several UK statutory instruments.
The BSI publish numerous titles concerning acceptable standards of design/safety/quality etc. in various fields. BS 7671 : 2001 (AMD No 2 : 2004) concerns the safety of electrical wiring in buildings (dwellings, commercial, industrial or otherwise) – generally known as the “Regs” (wiring regulations) – and succeeds the previous publication the 16th Edition of the Wiring Regulations.
The 17th edition, released in January 2008, is the latest edition of BS7671, and became effective for all installations designed after 1 July 2008.
One of the more significant changes is (chapter 41) that 30mA RCD’s will be required for socket outlets that are for use by ordinary persons and are intended for general use.
This improves the level of protection against electrical shock in the UK to a level comparable to that in other EU countries. The 17th edition incorporates new sections relating to microgeneration and solar photovoltaic systems.
The Institution of Electrical Engineers (I.E.E.) was a British professional organisation of electronics, electrical, manufacturing, and Information Technology professionals, especially electrical engineers. The I.E.E. was founded in 1871 as the Society of Telegraph Engineers, changed its name in 1880 to the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians and changed it again to the Institution of Electrical Engineers in 1889. It was Incorporated by a Royal Charter in 1921.
In 2006, the I.E.E. merged with the Institution of Incorporated Engineers (I.I.E.) to form the Institution of Engineering and Technology (I.E.T.). Before the merger, the I.E.E. was the largest professional engineering society in Europe, with a worldwide membership of around 120,000.
The IEC is the international organisation for the preparation of safety standards and other standards in the area of electrical engineering. International orientation on the focus of its activities is a stated objective of electrotechnical standardisation.
Considerably more than 50 % of the production of the German electrotechnical industry is exported – international standardisation is, therefore, a basis for economic success.
The International Electrotechnical Commission and its national counterparts (IET, IEEE, VDE, etc.) define high voltage circuits as those with more than 1000 V for alternating current and at least 1500 V for direct current, and distinguish it from low voltage (50 to 1000 V AC or 120 to 1500 V DC) and extra-low voltage ( below 50 V AC or below 120 V DC) circuits. This is in the context of building wiring and the safety of electrical apparatus.
Low Voltage
This is an electrical engineering term that broadly identifies safety considerations of an electricity supply system based on the voltage used. While different definitions exist for the exact voltage range covered by “low voltage”, most usually 50 to 1000 V AC, the most commonly used ones include “mains voltage”, 230 V AC.
“Low voltage” is characterised by carrying a substantial risk of electric shock, but only a minor risk of electric arcs through air. “Low voltage” is distinguished from:
Extra low voltage – which carries a much reduced risk of electric shock
High voltage – where electrical arcing is a substantial additional risk
The IEE published Amendments No2 to BS 7671:2001 (the IEE Wiring Regulations) on 31st March 2004. The amendment specifies new cable core colours for all new fixed wiring in electrical installations in the UK. These new electrical wiring colours are sometimes referred to as ‘harmonised’ colours, as they will bring the UK more closely in line with practice in mainland Europe.
Electrical installations work commencing before 31st March 2006 may use the new harmonised cable colours or the pre-existing colours, but not both. Work commencing on site after 31st March 2006 will be required to comply with the harmonised cable core colours and must not use the old colours.
Full details of the changes can be found in Amendment No 2 (AMD 14905) to BS7671:2001 – which is shown above. They are also within the new version of BS7671:2001 (incorporating Amendments 1 & 2) which was published on the 31st March 2004.
K&L Electrical’s electricians are qualified to the new 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations and City & Guilds 2391 Inspection & Testing. (Certification of Electrical Installations).
All electrical work meets the requirements of Part P electrical safety.
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Next Previous Testimonials
Kevin, Lee and their team did a full re wire of our house in August 2015. Their team of 5 were very efficient and complete the job within 3 days. Their work was of a high standard and the price was very reasonable. All of the team were polite and helpful, fully explained what they would do and how they would do it with as minimal disruption to us as a family as possible! We would highly recommend their team!Jennie, Stretford
K & L Electrical have worked on this retirement complex since 2008. Firstly, as a sub contractor for 10 new bungalows being built and once these were completed the organisation then asked them to carry out routine and non routine work to 99 of our other properties, our 32 bed care home and an administration building. They are pleasant electricians who are prompt, knowledgeable and tidy in their work. We will continue to use them for the foreseeable future.Danny Kenny, Wallasey
Hollymere (Extra Care Development) situated in Ellesmere Port, consisted of 71 newly constructed one-and two-bedroom apartments. K&L provided electrical installation services for 71 one-and two-bedroom apartments on the Hollymere extra care facility development in Ellesmere Port. The work completed was of a first class quality and importantly their electricians met deadlines and were responsive to program demands.Allan Wood, Ellesmere Port
Me and my wife contacted lee, regarding doing some electrical work prior to our fitted kitchen being installed, he arrived on time, he and his team we very clean, tidy, and worked alongside other tradesmen to complete our dream kitchen. Any questions we asked were answered and explained fully, we found him very approachable, friendly, and most importantly, he quoted a very good price, and stuck to that price. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone considering any kind of electrical work in their homes. And we will definitely be using them again in the future. Great job guys.Stephen And Stephanie, Wigan
While browsing the web looking for a company to rewire our three bedroom semi with conservatory, I came across K&L Electrical (electrician2hire), run by Kevin and Lee. The site claims a full rewire for a three bedroom semi in 3 to 4 days (unoccupied). I arranged for a quote and they came to Denton in Manchester within 2 days (Friday afternoon 23 August). I had the quote from Lee (which was a lot less than I was expecting) by Thursday 29 August. Lee contacted me on 2 September and said they could start the job on Tuesday 10 September. As good as their word the job was completed in 4 days and that was with us still occupying the property! Having your house rewired whilst living in it is not something you'd volunteer for but the team made the job bearable. Then team did a great job cleaning up every day and they was very pleasant and friendly. We would recommend this company to anyone.Simon Marsden, Denton
K & L worked on my property in December 2012 so i could make it safe to rent out, and again on a heating problem in February 2013. Lee and Kev were both friendly and helpful, they gave full explanations of everything they were doing in a way the lay person could understand. I would wholeheartedly recommend K&L to anyone – they were professional and considerate, taking good care of the property and they worked long and hard to ensure that the project completed on time. They also gave recommendations of good suppliers and provided clear billing information that demonstrated value for money. I will always use them now for any future projects. Thanks Lee and Kev for providing fantastic service.Gilli Bruce, Warrington